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14 Best Pennsylvania Fishing Spots

Last Updated: 01.04.23

If you are in love with fishing and you are looking for the best fishing in Pennsylvania, we’ve got you covered. Because we are pretty much aware of the fact that finding a good location for fishing is difficult, we have put together a list of rivers, lakes and other types of bodies of water where you can go fishing when in the state of Pennsylvania.

 

The Pittsburg area

Located near the town of Portersville, Pittsburg, lake

Arthur(in the Moraine State Park) is a place where one can catch anything from pike to Largemouth bass, channel catfish, muskellunge, panfish, hybrid striped bass, perch, and walleye. This lake has no less than 40 miles of shoreline, and you can rent boats and accommodation from local people.

A similar location is the Slippery Rock Creek that is situated in the McConnells Mill State Park. This creek is the ideal place if you want to fish trout. According to Pennsylvania fishing laws, you can fish here anywhere, just as long as you don’t get near the dam structures. As a plus, when it comes to accessing the creek, you should know that there are plenty of hiking paths that stay at your disposal so that you don’t get lost on the way to the creek.

 

Wild areas

When it comes to venturing in places that can be considered as part of the wild, our recommendation to you is that you give the Susquehanna River a chance. If you settle for this location, it is best that you fish in the west branch of the river. Here, you’ll be able to catch anything from trout to white crappie and smallmouth bass.

Another river that is worth your time is Allegheny. This river is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Allegheny is known for being home for many giant muskellunge as well as to trout catfish, pike, walleye, and trout.  Still, before you make any plans about fishing in this location, it is advisable that you take a good look at requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania state fishing license.

An equally fun and interesting creek that you should have in mind is the Hills Creek Lake from the Hills Creek Lake State Park. The creek is filled with catfish, yellow perch, carp and largemouth bass. So, if this creek is close to your home, why don’t you give it a chance!

 

Susquehanna

If you are a resident of Danville, Bloomsburg, we suggest that you pick up your rod and that you go to lake Chillisquaque. This lake is said to be abundant is sizeable fish that are prone to give you a run for your money. In fact, the lake is largemouth bass, bluegill, walleye, channel and bullhead catfish and so much more.

If you want to be successful when angling here, specialists recommend that you use live bait. If you don’t know where to purchase it from, you can always ask the locals for help and supplies of this type.

 

Pocono Mountains

Another fishermen-friendly region is the one near the Pocono Mountains. Here, one can find the Wallenpaupack lake, a body of water rich in rainbow and brown trout, bass, walleye, catfish and northern pike.

If you are not an expert when it comes to selecting the appropriate gear, it might be a good idea to make use of the fishing tackle loaner program offered to novice fishers by the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center. Thanks to this program, you can borrow up to two different roads, tackle boxes and reels that you can use while fishing.

Likewise, the same region is the place where you can find the Upper Delaware River that is situated near Rowland, Starlight. Here you can fish anything from American shad, bass, trout, eel, and walleye.

If you want the best trout fishing in Pennsylvania, we advise that you come to fish here during the fall or at the beginning of summer. You surely won’t regret it.

 

The Great Lakes Region

All those looking for a vetted location where one can find the best bass fishing in Pennsylvania, the specialists recommend that one tries Lake Erie. This lake is particularly known for being filled with yellow perch, a relatively difficult to find kind of fish that many fishermen search for. Similarly, a good place to catch some bass is the Presque Isle Bay, situated in close proximity to the lake.

If you like muskellunge and you are in the area, we suggest that you make a short visit to the Conneaut Lake. Here, the muskellunge are said to reach impressive proportions that go as up as to 40 pounds. Talk about a catch!

The upstate regions and Alleghenies

Recognized as the river of the year in 2016, the Northern Susquehanna River is the right place if you are looking for the best fly fishing in Pennsylvania. Here anglers can fish for flathead catfish, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and walleye.

Likewise, why don’t you spend some time on the shoreline of Lake Raystown? Here, on this 8,300-acre lake, you can catch a type of fishes that go by the name of stripers. What is more, if lucky, you can fish a striper that has up to 50 pounds. Your best chances to do so are in the spring.

However, if you want to fish trout, you should schedule a visit to the lake in May, June or October.

Last but not least, all bass fishermen should check out Spring Creek. This place is abundant in wild brown trout, reason why so many anglers come here annually to test their strengths. In fact, the area in which this creek is situated is known as the Fisherman’s Paradise.

 

Tips and tricks

It is worth mentioning that before one goes fishing in this state, it is crucial that he/she takes the necessary steps to obtain a state of Pennsylvania fishing license. To be given this license, one should be over 16. Moreover, he/she should be familiar with any specific regulation that prohibits or limits the number of fish one can keep while fishing.

What’s more, it might be useful to know that, if you plan to go fishing with your family, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission offers you and your loved ones basic fishing lessons. Therefore, if you’ve recently picked up this hobby, it might be a good idea to go online and find out more about these opportunities.

Additionally, whenever you are getting ready to go on a fishing expedition, it is best that you get informed what kind of fish you can catch in that specific river/creek. This way, you’ll be able to come prepared with the appropriate gear and lure, and you’ll know how to tackle each situation like a pro.

Moreover, before you start fishing, make sure that you’ve taken all the protection measures needed so that you are safe. The reason why we stress this has to do with the fact that some of the locations that we’ve talked about are located in wilderness areas that are filled with native animals that might unexpectedly give you a visit.  

 

 

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